How Much Protein Do I Need? – And The Importance of Protein

How much protein do I need, is an important question. There can be repercussions from both eating too much protein and not getting enough.
We will cover the possible negatives of too much protein in your diet as well as protein benefits that you will be missing out on if not getting enough.
There is also a protein calculator included as a guideline to how much protein you should be eating. Also, I’ve included a section with many links to my protein powder supplement reviews.
How Much Protein Do I Need In A Day?
When it comes to daily protein intake, the general rule of thumb is to consume at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. This how many grams of protein you need in a day to prevent protein deficiency.
However, I believe that there are many benefits of protein when eating quite a bit more than this.
Even so, the precise amount of protein you need per day will depend on a variety of factors such as your age, everyday routines, physical condition, exercise plan, weight, and many other factors. There is no simple way to measure the maximum amount of protein to eat.
Lean Body Mass Considerations
Some experts believe that analyzing your activity level and lean body mass is another reliable way to determine how much protein you need each day.
Lean body mass is your total body weight without fat. But includes bone, liquid, muscle, organ systems, and other cells. There are several methods for calculating lean body mass. Still, the simplest is to separate the fat mass from the total body weight.
According to experts, this is a more precise and reliable method because our lean body mass needs more protein for repair work than fat cells.
How Do I Calculate Lean Body Mass?
Lean body mass is your overall weight minus your body fat weight. Subtract your body fat percentage from your total weight to get body mass.
Another way is to use a smart scale. Check out my top 4 Best Smart Scales for 2021

How Much Protein Do I Need To Gain Muscle?
The unofficial rule of thumb is to consume at least 1 gram of protein per pound you weigh per day. Since every body is made so differently, this will vary from person to person because of many different factors. When you are deciding how much protein do I need to build muscle, just don’t over due it. Be sure to eat plenty of vegetables as well.
Ask Your Health Care Professional
Talk with a licensed health care professional if you have any concerns about the nutritional intake needed to meet your current exercise level and dietary needs. Your requirements will differ depending on a variety of aspects.
Your physician and nutritionist can assist you in determining how much protein you require regularly. Then, line up your strategy for reaching your goals in a way that is most beneficial to both your physical and mental health, whether they are losing weight or gaining more muscle.
Can You Eat Too Much Protein?
Protein is an essential part of a well-planned diet and you would have to eat an awful lot of protein to have negative effects.
People have even used protein-rich diets to support fat loss, weight loss, increasing satiety, and muscle retention. Even so, it is possible to consume too much protein in a single day.
So I’ll list a few of the possible “too much protein” side effects. Some of the extra protein will be eliminated through the urine. The majority of extra protein will be stored as glucose and fat as energy sources.
Possible Weight Gain
This condition will result in weight gain over time. This is especially true if you eat too many calories when your increase your protein consumption. This means that it comes down to “calories in/calories out”.
Constipation Could Occur
Consuming too much protein may also result in constipation. One research has shown that 44% of the participants experience constipation while undergoing a high-protein diet program. This can be cured by consuming more water and fiber.
Rare Occurrences of Bad Breath
Interestingly, one research has also shown the link between a high-protein diet and bad breath. This may be partly related to your body entering a metabolic activity known as ketosis. Ketosis (what happens during the keto diet) generates chemical compounds in your mouth that give off an undesirable vinegary odor.
Flossing will not solve the problem. Since your metabolism causes it, you will need to increase your water consumption and chew gum to compensate for some side effects.
Protein Poisoning and Rabbit Starvation in Extreme Circumstances
In the long run, prolonged exposure to high protein intake may have serious health consequences, such as protein poisoning. Therefore, that would be something to keep in mind when eating a high-protein diet.
Protein poisoning occurs when the body consumes an excessive amount of protein while consuming insufficient fat and carbohydrates over an extended period. This term is more commonly referred to as “rabbit starvation.”
In other words, even if you may be having enough calorie intake from protein, your body suffers from chronic malnutrition due to a shortage of other nutrients such as fat and carbohydrates.
Damage to Kidneys and Liver
Excessive protein extraction by the liver and kidneys can put the body at risk for a sudden increase of ammonia and urea levels in your blood. Protein poisoning can be fatal, even though it is extremely rare.
Protein poisoning is a relatively simple condition to treat. It merely requires eating more complex carbohydrates while eating less protein. It is suggested to seek a good mix of the macronutrients mentioned earlier.
Increased Chance of Heart Disease
Another possible negative health effect from excessive protein intake is heart disease. A high-protein diet typically includes a lot of animal protein. Higher saturated fat and cholesterol consumption may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
It’s crucial to understand the potential hazards before stepping on a high-protein diet. This to evaluate whether it’s right for you. Also, check with your doctor before starting any new eating plan, particularly if you have any existing medical conditions.

Protein Calculator – How Much Protein Do You Need?
This tool will help you get a better idea of what your protein intake should be, based on important factors such as age, gender, height, weight and activity levels.
Remember how to get a general idea of how much your minimum protein intake should be. Consume at least 0.36 grams of protein per day per pound of body weight.
The Importance of Protein
With a proper protein intake, you can get a lot of health benefits. For example, when you do strength exercise, eating enough protein helps you retain muscle mass and stimulates muscle development. Your body has to has to have plenty of protein to build muscle properly.
Protein, in particular, also has a far greater thermic reaction than fat or carbohydrates. Therefore, high protein consumption improves metabolism significantly as well as the number of calories burned.
Surprisingly, higher protein consumption has been linked to lowering blood pressure. Protein consumption may reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Many individuals who improve their protein consumption actually lose weight almost immediately because their diet stimulates metabolism. A high protein diet results in an inevitable decrease in calorie intake and feelings of hunger.
Losing weight is a big deal, but protein is also important for maintaining proper body weight.

Do I Need Additional Protein Sources?
Protein acts in your body like lego pieces. It will be used by your body to build muscles, tendons, and various other organs. Protein is also involved in producing enzymes, hormones, and many other molecules that keep your body running smoothly.
Protein is made up of amino acids, which is why it plays such an essential role in your body. These amino acids combine to create intricate protein chains, which then combine to form many different shapes.
Your body has its own source of amino acids. Still, it doesn’t produce enough protein to help you function properly. When your body lacks protein, it will begin to break down and consume your muscles instead. To avoid a lack of protein, additional protein sources are needed.
So the answer is yes, a protein supplement is a good idea for building and maintaining muscle, weight loss, a healthy immune system, and getting more nutrients in your diet. How much protein do I need in a day will depend on the individual.
Here are some links to several of my protein powder supplements since there are many benefits of protein powder.
Protein Supplement Categories for Every Situation and Lifestyle
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What Are the Best Sources of Protein?
Protein can be obtained from a variety of foods, namely plants and animals. What you should note is that the amino acid composition of plant and animal proteins differs.
Animal protein products have a much broader spectrum of amino acids so this can be considered to be the best source of protein. Many plant protein sources are often deficient in essential components such as methionine, lycine, and tryptophan. To get more of these amino acids, it’s important to eat a variety of different plant proteins.
There are about 20 essential and non-essential amino acids that the human species needs to generate proteins. Our body wants all of the necessary amino acids in the appropriate doses for optimum performance.
Chicken, fish, meat, seafood, and milk are high in protein, comparable to the protein present in the human body. These are therefore called full protein sources. They provide all of the critical amino acids needed by our body to perform efficiently.
To know more about how much protein animal products have as well as vegan options, let’s take a quick look at the list below.
- Egg Protein
Eggs have been long known for their nutritional quality. Not only are they high in nutrients, but they are also high in protein. Up to 6 grams of protein can be found in one regular egg.
Several studies have displayed that eating eggs in the morning helps to manage appetite by allowing you to consume fewer calories during the day. In addition, another research found that consuming eggs helps to keep insulin levels stable.
- Fresh or Canned Fish Protein
Fish is a wonderful dietary staple, and canned fish is no different. An 85-gram serving of canned tuna contains just around 99 calories. Even so, it provides approximately 20 grams of protein. This is an excellent calorie to protein ratio that you should be looking for in a healthy, lean diet.
- Protein from Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is another protein-rich item. A 210-gram portion of full-fat cottage cheese contains more than 23 grams of protein. It is an ideal option for people wanting to improve muscle mass due to its high protein content.
If you’re a vegetarian, you should not be worried about not getting enough protein for your body. Instead, read the list below to know the best vegan-friendly food options available out there.

- Seitan Protein for Vegans
Many vegetarians and vegans enjoy Seitan for protein and is one of the best vegetarian sources of protein. It is created from gluten, the primary protein found in grain.
When prepared, it closely resembles beef, unlike some other soy-based meats that look far from appetizing. It has approximately 25 grams of protein for every 100 grams. As a result, Seitan is the leading protein-rich plant on this list.
Nonetheless, people with the condition like gluten allergy should skip Seitan. Seitan may be baked, sautéed, or grilled. So, you can quickly implement it into a wide range of cuisine.
- Soybean-based Protein Products
Soybeans are the basis of today’s iconic vegan products such as tempeh, tofu, and edamame. In addition, soybeans are labeled a complete protein source, suggesting they help our bodies with many of the vital amino acids we require.
These soy-based products contain calcium and up to 19 grams of protein for every 100 grams. Edamame is also high in folate, while tempeh is high in probiotics and minerals.
- Lentils
Lentils are high in nutrients and fiber. In addition, they are high in protein and have a variety of other components.
Lentils are an excellent source of protein, containing 18 grams per cooked 240 mL. They can be found in a wide range of dishes, from fresh salads to creamy soups.
For more information on foods with a lot of protein, take a look at this Protein Source Table.
How Much Protein Do I Need – Conclusion
We have discussed all of the potential side effects of eating too much protein. Also covering how much protein we need because many of our diets don’t provide enough.
Eating enough protein is important as well since the body needs plenty of proteins and amino acids proteins to perform everyday activities. Benefits of protein include balancing your metabolism, maintaining and growing muscle, keeping a healthy weight, proper energy levels, and even a better complexion.
Hopefully the protein calculator will give you some direction of how much protein you should be consuming.
If you have any questions or comment about how much protein you need, please leave a message below and I will respond.